94 days to go!

Spain beat Italy behind a goal from Pedro on Wednesday at the Calderón. This was La Roja’s last game before the concentración for the World Cup begins at the end of May.

In case you were wondering about the goal celebration, it’s because several La Roja players, including Pedro, Javi, Thiago and Raúl Albiol, had filmed a spot on Monday with members of ONCE (the National Organization for Blind Spanish People) who also play for the blind national football team, and the participants had asked them to dedicate a goal to them. And Pedro kept his word! ONCE has been one of La Roja’s sponsors since last November.

As for upcoming dates, May 13 is when Vicente del Bosque will announce the preliminary list of 30 players for the World Cup, with the definitive list of 23 players revealed on May 25. One day after that, the concentración begins as we set out to defend our title!

Interesting choices for VDB! Strikers who started the season so well have faded while others, who tend to shine in the big games when given a chance (El Nino!) are looking much better. So many injuries,yet so many new names to consider! Who will take that 3rd goalkeeper spot? I’m going to miss Puyol so much, but I’m excited about the possibilities. The hard part will come on May 25 when he has to make cuts–so heartbreaking! :(